An alimentary problem

A new report from prestigious international journal 'Nutrition' has found that lack of basic vitamins and minerals in diet is damaging the health of half of school-going children in India.

In fact, only a few medical specialists are aware of what vitamin and mineral deficiency means for children and the nation. In a report from the National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau of India, 50% of urban children have sub-clinical deficiencies of vitamin A, vitamins B2, B6, folate, and vitamin C1.

These children are not only vulnerable to common day-to-day infections, but are also prone to severe infections with prolonged convalescence.

Explains Dr Anupam Sibal, group director and senior consultant, paediatric, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi: "Micronutrient deficiency is a big problem in urban children since the eating pattern has changed dramatically over the last few years.